Book Blog - Boy21 by Matthew Quick

You can lose yourself in repetition--quiet your thoughts; I learned the value of this at a very young age.

Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in broken-down Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, his dad works nights, and Finley is left to take care of his disabled grandfather alone. He's always dreamed of getting out someday, but until he can, putting on that number 21 jersey makes everything seem okay.

Russ has just moved to the neighborhood, and the life of this teen basketball phenom has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he won't pick up a basketball, but answers only to the name Boy21--taken from his former jersey number.

As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, a unique friendship may turn out to be the answer they both need.

I was searching for something new and fresh in the YA Genre when I picked this up. I'm so glad I did.

This is an incredible story that's surprising, heart-warming and funny. Quick's prose is smooth, spare and beautiful, and I'm not kidding when I say that there's something a little magical about this unique tale that blends friendship, the Irish mob, and basketball.

This isn't the kind of read you recommend to people. This is the kind of author you recommend.

Read this. Read all of Quick's books. Quickly. (hee)

I have. Then you can join me in stalking Matthew Quick on twitter.

Now, off with you. To the bookstore!